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Noticing

Sunday, June 29, 2014

I was talking to a friend a couple of weeks ago and she said something that really hit me.

"Sometimes people need to notice tho."

We had been talking about various physical ailments/problems and how we tend to not be dramatic about when we aren't feeling good. But when I said something about normally being able to function fairly normally when I'm not feeling 100%, she said "sometimes people need to notice tho."

And it's been stuck in my head since. It goes further than just physical problems. Just like it's okay for someone to notice that you need to take it easy for a little while, it's also okay for someone to help ease some of your mental/emotional pain as well.

God did not place only one individual on the earth for a reason. He filled this earth with living, breathing people. People to cause pain and ease it. People to love you and dislike you. Everyone is part of His plan. And that plan involves community.

Some things that come along with community are accountability, fellowship, common interests and traits, a 'second family', and the ability to be real with people. And depending on how you look at these things, they can either be good or bad. Accountability is great if you're trying to grow, but not so much if you're trying to hide something. People being there is so helpful for not feeling so alone, but not if you're trying to shut them out.

"so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NIV)"

I don't know about you, but if my left hand was broken, I'm sure my right hand would want to know so that it could pick up some of the slack. We in Christ are supposed to work the same way. We are a body. If you're hurting, someone needs to know! You won't feel as alone when you realize that someone has gone through the same things that you are going through. It's so encouraging!!

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24, 25 NIV)"

Believe me, it's certainly not easy to let people in. I've spent most of my life believing that I had to always be strong for other people. But it is a lie that Satan used to isolate me from other people that could encourage me and help me grow (Proverbs 27:17). Believing that I could never show weakness or my failings put so much stress on me- almost to the point of breaking. But I'm starting to learn that it's okay to struggle. It's okay to mess up.

You are not perfect.

And that's okay!

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)"

It's really, really hard to open up sometimes and admit that I might need a hug, or someone to talk to.